Valve



May l, 1945.

c. l E. LAUE VALVE Filed Feb. v9, 1942, 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. TL am Chez/les Patented May 1, 1945 VALVE p Charles E. Laue, Chicago, Ill. v Application February 9, 1942, serialNo. 430,092 `19 claims. (o1. 197--343 This invention` relates to valves, particularly to thosesuitable for drain valves such as are used for draining vehicle radiators, tanks, and the like. Although there have been a Wide variety of drain valves in the past, such valves have beensubject to numerous faults, some of which have long been recognized and others of Which have perhaps never been recognizedV heretofore. The present invention in its preferred form overcomes all of these faults. A number `of the improvements embodied in the preferred form of the invention are enumerated below.A It should be recognized that, although these features cooperate to produce certain advantages, many. of them may be used independently with advantage over present valves.

Quick opening and closing It is hard to state whichV of the novel features is most important. One of the more important is that, while the valve is of the screw or threaded type in which a relatively small manual force will produce very high seating pressures of the valve plug on the valve seat, it is nevertheless a quick opening and closing valve. This is accomplished by providing threads on the plug only on, say, two sides thereof and providing slots in the correspondingly threaded sleeve, so disposed that after the plug has been unscrewed forl only about a sixth of a revolution its threaded portion will co-' incide with the slots so that it may be moved longitudinally away from the seat" and immediately open the valve to its full capacity.` i

If it is not desired to open' the.valve toits full capacity, it may be held seated Whileit is turned through the droplaway position, after which it may be unscrewed gradually-to control the iiow through the valve.

The plug and slots are preferably non-symmetrical sol that the plug will' have only a' single drop-away position. This has atleast two advantages: First, after being turnedthroughthe dropaway position, it may be unscrewed graduallyfor nearly a complete revolution before it 'again comes to the drop-away position, thus giving 'a Wide range of ow control when it is. desired to control pushed in through the slotsito theseating-jposif,

tion. The relationship maylprovid'e forjvery quick seating for. for another vfeature discussed below under ,Safety release. i

Numerous advantages" of a quick opening valve will be apparent. One is-.merely the matter of convenience. Another isthefpossible desirability of quickl destruction of War craft or war equipment by yquiklyopening afdrain valve of'a fuel tank Whenit is about to be lcaptured, and'igniting the fuel.

i Rapid flow 1 For any given size of outer diameter thevvalve has an exceptionally rapid flow. This results mainly from'the twoLfeaturesf-Lthe positioning of the seat at the bottom of the'plug where space is limitlessY so that it may be openedas `widely as desired, and the 'cutting away or omission of the major cross sectionof the shank sothatith'ere is adequate flow areathroughthe threaded portion of the valve. It will be observed that this cutting away of the shank accomplishes at the same time the omissionof the threaded portions necessary to' provide the quick opening and release feature `of the valve.

` Flushing laction y Closely related to the high rate of flow isa flushing action produced thereby which tends to Wash clean the surface of the plug which closes on the seat. This is 4probably produced not only by the rate of ow but by virtue of the fact that there is little or noobstruction to the flow below the surface in question, and 'hence Whatever flow there is sweeps at its fastest speed across this surface.

, Fail-safe l If enough force is applied to any valve, something has got to yield. In commercial `valves heretofore if a mechanic I'applied a Wrench or pliers to tighten the plugI and'exerted tooinuch force he would crumble'the -plug in the vicinity of the seating surface ythereof so that this surface itself Was distorted and caused a leak. This was apparently partly due :to the provision of holes in the plug betweenthehandle .portion and the sealing surface. According to the present in# vention there are no holes between'the sealing surface and the handle, andin .factthesealing surface is at the top of a solid block formingthe handle so that it will beunaffected by any failure due to turning the handle with too much force. As a` matter of fact, the absence of any weakening holes and the provisionof thes'ealing surface between the handle and the threads enables the plug to withstand much` more force f' than prior plugs without danger, andgas previ- Easy seating and reseatz'ng In the preferred form of the valve with 'the quick-opening slots, a sealing engagement between the plug and the seat may be formed With the utmost ease by turning the plug to the posiy tion in which the threads are disengaged and tapping it with a. hammer. something should happen to the seat so that it is imperfect'and a leak appears, it can ordinarily be remedied Aby reseating as described. If preferred, however, Ait can also be remedied by removing. the plug and ling the bottom surface of the remaining sleeve with a fiat ile. Since the sealr is not on this surface but merely on the internal edge thereof, -it is not essential for the ling to be extremely accurate. Of course, because of the accessibility of this surface, an eX- tremely accurate job caneasily be performed on a latheor with other machine tools if desired.

' Non-dropable plug withease of disassembly Accessible seat Both the seat of the body and the seat or cone of the plug are highly accessible. IBeing positioned at the bottom ofthe body, they can easily be wiped oi if occasion should arise. The ease of filing the bottom of the body to renew the seat thereon has already .been mentioned. Positioning the seats at the bottom of the body instead of inside thereof also contributes tol providing a strong valve and to providing a valve of smaller size for any given flow that may be desired. r

Self-centering I In the preferred form of vvalve Where portions of the threads of the plug are omitted, the valve has a self-centering action resulting from the fact that it engages the threads only at generally diagonally opposite points so that it can shift within the threads and tilt about a line passing through these points if for any reason the seat should not be perfectly alined with and perpendicular to the axis of the threads in the body.

d Safety release If desired, the slots may be so positioned that, after the valve has been closed' by ordinary pressure, further tightening thereof by a tool will turn it to a drop-down or release position prior to stripping the threads or causing other damage. This renders the valve substantially foolproof: If it is closed with ordinary pressure, it will seal in the usual way; if it is closed further by a tool, it will be further tightened until it approximately reaches the point of failure, at which time it will be suddenly released instead of being damaged. It may then be reclosed immediately.

` Additional objects and advantages will be ap- Thus, if in service plug I2.

parent from the following description and from the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one ofthe preferred forms of the valve-chosen for illustration of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a Vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2'of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 but with the plug Aturned to a quick-release p'osition. n

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken approximately Y, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, rshowing the plug as if pushedv up into seating position ready to be tightened by screwing action.

Fig. 5 is a View taken on the line 5--5 of Fig, 3, showing the valve open.

Fig..6 is avertical sectional view of a'm'odied form of the invention. f

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical cross sectional views showing a third form of the invention.

Figs. 9 and 10y are corresponding cross sectional views of a fourth form ofthe invention.

Four forms of the invention Ahave been chosen for illustration and description, in compliance with section 4888 of the Revised Statutes, but persons skilled in the lart will readilyy perceive other means for accomplishing the same results, and the claims are therefore to' ,be construed l as broadly as possible, .consistent with the prior art.

For most purposes the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to` 5 will probably be preferred. In this form the valve includesa body I I and a The body Il includes'aJ sleeve portion I3 threaded internally to receive the plug I2 and externally to screw into an outlet boss I4. This boss may be formed as part of a fuel tank, vradiator, or any other Container for which a valve of this type may be desired. A head I6 formed at the outer end'of the body Il. is preferably hexagonal externally so that it-maybe screwed in with a wrench and is provided with `a circular seat Il formed at the meeting edge between an internal cylindrical wall I8 and a vbottom surface I9.

The plug I2'includes a shank 2 I which is threaded to cooperate rwith the sleeve I3, a preferably conical seat portion 22 which seals against the seat I1, and a handle 23. In the illustrated form the handle 23 comprises a pin extending through a stud 24 f-ormed integrally with the cone 22, but of course Vany other handle or head could be provided; The seat may, of course, be flat to engage the surface I9 in order to seal the valve.

AS seen best in Fig. 3, the sleeve I3 is slotted at 26 and 21. Theseslots may be formed by routing out the threads. The shank 2| is so shaped that in one position its'threads will lie entirely Within these slots 26 and 21. In this position of shank 2l itV will be possible to move the vplug I2 up'and down in the body II without' turning it, this action being Amost clear from Figs. 4 and 5.

It will be observed'fromv Fig. 3 that the slot 2l is wider than theslot 26 and that the shank 2l is so shaped that it will i-lt into these slots in only one position.- This makes possible a predetermined positioning of the threads with respect to the position ofthe plug when it is thrust up- Awardly or inwardly against the seat as shown in .the plug were positioned on the shank slightly .y lower than. they are, say half the distance of the pitch, the ends of-,the threads on the shank would strike the ends of the threads adjacent the slots,

so that the plug inthis position could not be ferred that the threads of the plug be slightly f higher than this positionso that in turning the plug it will initially be positioned minutely off the seat. The only advantage of this is that it will let the plug turn about one-sixth of a turn before the threads `tighten the cone` 22 on the seat I'I. This position is seen in Fig. l,v and it will be seen that it is only with this one-sixth turn that the threads on the shank are entirely within the threads of the sleeve, thus utilizing the `full strength. of the threads, For some purposes, it may be desirable to so proportion the parts that the plug will turn approximately three-fths or two-thirds of a revolution after it has been shoved inwardly in the slots to the limit of its inward movement. This have the advantage that upon turning the plug for one-third of a revolution further, it will complete its revolution so that its threads will again be entirely within the slots, thus permitting it to drop down. This provides the safety release feature discussed in the introduction to the specication. In` other words, if a mechanic, by applying too much force with pliers or a wrench to the plug, turns it to a position where some part is likely to fail; it will, before reaching the failing point, release by virtue of having the threads come Within the slots. It 'will then merely be necessary topush it in and turn it again, being careful not to turn it quite so far in this instance. Of course, the seat may be deformed enough so that the plug would turn further than it would have turned originally, but. it will still seal nevertheless. One example of a thread pitch that has been found satisfactory is 24 vthreads per inch. with a brass valve of the proportions shown, Athe inside `diameter of the body being 1/2 inch. I f desired, the threads may be relieved alittle adiacent their separating e'hds to decrease the pressure and prevent injury to the threads.

It should be observed that with the form of valve now preferred the slots and plug are each angularly non-symmetrical so thatthey have only one position for longitudinal movement. of the plug. them symmetrical they could have two positions, or with three slots and three threaded portions of the plug they' could have three positions of longitudinal movement. Of course, they could have "more such positions but'probably more would never be desired. A symmetrical shape This is not necessary. By making y.

shown in Figsrl to 5, av retaining pin 3|: isprovidl ,I

ed extending through the shank Vand adapted to `come to rest on theyinneredgeofA the sleevev I3.

It is `prohably most4 desirable tohave this pin so positioned that when the plug is in its outer position the threads do not mate but block turn-- ing of the plug so thatanyoneiwho tries to turn -the plug in this position instead of shoving it in, .will be reminded to shove the'plug in rst. --In case of the symmetrical construction, the turning of ythe plug should be blocked when the plug is in the correct position but. not'when it has been .turned 180 to thefwrong position. With lthis arrangement a user who instinctivelyv tries to .turn .the plug before pushing lit in` will not be able to turn it away when it is in the right position buty will: always be able to turn it to the right position ifA it is. not already in the' right position. i

It `will vbe observed fromv Fig. 3; that all ofthe zone 33 on each side of the shank 2| is available for the flow of a liquid through the plug.- The availablel cross section between the seatv I'I yand the cone 22 is determined entirely by the distance to which the pin 3l will allow the plug to drop. Amoderate dro-p will give a cross section at this point equal to the cross section available on'the two sides of the shank 2 I.v The resulting owis very much greater than has been possible vheretofore with any valve of the same diameter,l eX- cept, by completing the movement.` of the plug. 0f course, withA gaseous valves' including steam valves, neither a wide flow area nor thequickopening a-ction is ordinarily necessaryhln the preferred form of the invention with vthelquickrelease feature the slots should not'be so deep as4 to let the plug cant or tilt to onesideiso ffar that the threads will not mate easily. l w

Another construction which may be used when the quick release isnot desired is 'shown 'in"liig. 6. In this form of valve the sleever Iy II `is lnot. slotted will strike the skirt and: be deected :downwardly Y to with two slots. would have anadvantage in` that opening valves.

instead of shooting out in an'independent stream.

, Itwill be observedthat in this `forlnofl the valve the cone I22 `and 'stud' |24 are yintegrally constructed and are solid betweenthe handle |23 and thecone |22. This sturdy` type of construction substantially eliminates the danger-of so `distorting the seat portion or cone I22 by excess force applied to thehandle y|213' as'to cause .In this form vofthe valve'there' will not'be'as muchvneed vfor the retaining pin |3| since "this form of valve would ordinarily not be `unscrewed far enough to drop out. However, a retaining pin I3I` vmay be provided if desired. If not, the plug lf2 would not projectA above-the'body III.

Figs. 7- tol() show two other forms of `quick- These valves are substantially the same asthat of Figs. l to 5 except for aprotion the plug would turn 180 to return it to the A proper starting position.

It will be observed that in the form of the valve vision of a differentfretaining means and the provision of a spring for opening the valve quickly should it not be in a position to be' opened bygravity.

In Athe form shown in Figs-'7 and 8 the body '2H cooperates Awith a plug 2I2, thesh'ank 22|.

of which is provided with a central' longitudinal bore 2M. into which a spring 242 may be dropped. A pin 243 is then inserted through slots 2 and f in the form shown in the other gures.

bore.241 to hold the 'spring `in. and holdit under compression. By tilting the pin 243 as seen'in dotted lines in Fig. 8, it may be Vslipped through the seat 211 into position in the annular chamber 246 in the body. lThe length of the .pin 243 should be slightly in `excess of the distance from the wall 218 to the corner 24'1, so as to prevent the :pin 243 or the plug from Ibeing removed except by the reverse of the procedure in which they were inserted.

As the plug is thrust inwardly, the pin 243y will bear against the shoulder 248, whereuponfthe spring 242 will be' further compressed as the plug is pushed .further in. The result is that, after the plug hasbeen screwed to a tightened position, if it is unscrewed to thequick-rele'ase position, as seen kin Fig. 3, the spring will press the plug outwardly to open the `valve even though it may be in a position where it has to work against the force of gravity.

FromvFig. 8 it Awill be observed that the .plug 212 will drop considerably further than in Figs. 1 to 5 so that the space between cone 222 and seat 211 is considerably greater than -in the other gures. This may increase the rate of ow slightly but there is believed to be adequate flow The chief advantage of the increased drop shown in Fig. 8 is therefore that the liquid will flow nearly straight down and will tend to :flow smoothly around the cone 222 rather than striking the cone with such force and speed as to 'be thrown out somewhat radially.

Another form of spring-actuated valve is shown in Figs. 9 and l0. At the inner end of the body 311 or sleeve 313 an 'annular recess 314 is provided. A retaining pin `315 is secured to the end of theplug 312 in any suitable manner as by soldering or brazing. 'Ihe plug 312 is preferably of such length that the pin 315 will not project inwardly of the sleeve 313 at any time, this being desirable in instances in which the internal clearance might be small. When the plug is shifted to its outer position, its movement is limited by engagement of the pin 315 with the bottom of kthe recess 314. l

In this form of the invention a spring 341 is provided for lpressing the plug tow-ard the'open position. Thisspring is compressed within a bore 342 of .the valve and reacts against a. stirrup' 343, as clearly Lseen in Fig. 10. This ligure also clearly shows the manner in which the stirrup is supported at the base of the recess 344. Movement of the plug with respect to the stirrup is permitted by a slot-346 extending through the shank at the inner end thereof.`

It will lbe observed that in all of the illustrated l forms of the invention' the seat formed by the body is at the very botto-m of the body where it is most easily accessible. In fact, it is entirely possible to renew the seat merely by using a flat le to file off the bottom surface ofthe body. This of course would not :be practicable `if the plug was to seal against the surface as a whole, but, since it merely seals against the inner edge of the surface, very good results can be obtained in this manner. Of course, this seat is also accessible for easily renewing on machine tools. An.- other way that the seat can be'renewed or initially formed in all ofy the structures, except in Fig. 6, is to turn the plug to the position in which it is free for longitudinal movement and strike it with a hammer. Because of the fact that the threads do not prevent longitudinal movement; of the plug,r the entire vforce of the blow will be exerted on the seat, thus deforrning it suiciently to overcome minor imperfections therein. Ifth body is made of lbrass and the plug of a harder Anoncorrosive metal such as a stainless steel, any

da-mage from foreign matter in the use of the valve will =be confined to the seaton the body which may vbe easily renewed in any of the ways stated. y The seat'can be renewed many times, if

necessary, since there is plenty of metal available.

It will be observed that in both forms of the .valve shown in Figs. '7 to 10 the Aplug is retainedin the body without the necessity of any parts projecting` inwardly of the body. In Fig. 7 the plug is shown projecting slightly beyond the body', but even this is not necessary. Y

In all of rthe illustrated forms of the invention the body of the valve was formed by a'sleev'e adapted to 'be screwed into theequipment -with which the valve is to be used. It should be Yrecy ognized, of course, that the body could -be formed by the wall of the equipment or by a boss formed on the wall. Thus, for use in a crank case, any of the plugs shown herein could be screwed directly into the crank case if a boss were properly formed on the crank case to receive the particular plugs here shown. It is probably more likely that in a crank case the invention would be less fully utilized by omitting some of the features rhere illustrated. For example, if a plug having a shank of approximatelythe shape of that shown in Figs. 1 and 3 were used in a crank case, it would have the advantage that as soon as the plugwere loosened somewhat the oil would start to now out.

For the drain valve in the crank lcase itjwould be more desirable to havethe slots broached in the body (case) as seen in Figs. 1 and3 andthe plug shank correspondingly shaped so as to get the quick-opening effect. Of course, a pin. such as the pin 31 could .fbe used even with such structures in which there is nok separate body 1 1, although it would Ibe necessary to get inside of the Acase to remove the pin. Y Y

From the foregoing it is seen'that an extremely compact,I simple and easily operated valve has been provided-one which in the preferred forms permits an exceptionally high rate vof flow. lis quick acting, is so rugged that there is little chance of a leak being caused by excessive tightening, and can be provided with a safety release which will positively preventv any-damage from excessive tightening. The quick opening and closing of the valve while retaining the screw type of tightening thereof is one of its outstanding features.

I claim:

1. A valve including a body having a threaded passage therethrough, slots opening into said passage and extending longitudinally thereof, and a seat at the outer end of said passage; and a plug having a non-cylindrical shank threaded on its larger-diameter surfaces to jcooperate with the threads of the lbody, and a 'seat portion for cooperating with said seat, said threads being adapted to lie entirelyin the slots in one angular position of the plugwhereby said plug may be moved axially when in said angular position, said slots and the corresponding threads of the 'plug each being non-symmetrical angularly whereby' axial movement of. the'plug is possible with only said one angular position thereof, and the relationship between the threads and the seat portion lasf-74,1390

having a non-cylindrical shank threaded on its` larger-diameter surfaces to cooperate with vthe threads of the body, and a seat portion for coopf erating withsaid seat, said shank threadsbeing adapted to lie entirely inthe slots under certain' conditions `whereby said'v plugmay be -moved axially independently of said threads, the relationship betweenv the threads andthe seat portion on theplug being suchthat when the plug is moved axially to 4,engage the Seat portion against the seat the threads are-inthe right position to engage the threads of Athe body upon simple turning of the plug, a readily removable rod Ycarried by said vplug and interlockedwith said body, and resilient means bearing against said rod and a portion of said plug.vv

3.A Avalve including a body having a threaded passage therethrough, slots `V opening into said passage and extending longitudinally thereof, and a seat at the outer end of said passage; and a plug having a noncylindrical shank threaded on its larger-diameter surfaces to cooperate with the threads of the body, and a seat portion constructed and arranged for line bearing with said seat, said shank threads being adapted to lie entirely in the 'slots under'certain conditions whereby said plug may befmoved axially independently of said threads.

' 4. A valve including a body having a threaded passage therethrough, slots opening into said passage and extending longitudinally thereof, and a seat'at the outer end of said passage, and a plug having a non-cylindrical shank threaded on its larger-diameter surfaces to cooperate with the threads of the body, anda seat portion for cooperating with said seat, said threads being adapted to lie entirely in the slots in bne angular position of the plug whereby said plug may be moved `axially when in said angular 'position, said slots and the Corresponding threadsv of the plug each being non-symmetrical anguseat portion on the plug being such that when the plug is moved axially to engage the seat portion against the seat the threads arek inthe right positionto engage the threads of `the body upon simple turning of theplug,` and means carried by the shank and .engaging an inwardly facing portion of the body for limiting the axial move-` ment of the plug outwardly of the body.

` 6. A valve including` a bodyI having a threaded passage therethrough, slots opening 'into `said passage and extending longitudinally thereof, andaseat at the outer end of said passage, and a plug having a non-cylindrical shank threaded on its larger-.diameter surfaces to cooperate with the threads `of vthe body, and a seat portion formed and arranged for line bearing with said seat, said shank threads being adapted to' lie entireiy inthe slots under. certain conditions, and the relationship between the threads andthe seat portion on the plug being such that when the plug is moved axially to engage the seat portion against the seat the threads are in the right position to engage the threads of the body upon simple turning of the plug, and means carried by the shank and engaging aninwardly `faeing portion of the body for limiting the axial movement of the plug outwardly of the body.

7. A quick-opening valve including a valve body and a plug, the valve body being threaded i but having slots cut through the threads, and

the plug having ythreaded portions adapted to engage the threads of the threaded body or to slip through the slots, a substantial `cross-seclarly whereby axial movement of the plug is possible with only said one angular position thereof, and the relationship between the threads and the seat portion on the plug being such that when the plug is moved axially to engage the seat .portion against the seat the threadsv are in the right position to engage the threads of the body upon simple turning of the plug, and readily removable means carried by the shankand engaging an inwardly facing portion of the body for limiting `the axial movement of the plug outwardly of the body,

5. A valve including a body having a threaded passage therethrough,` slots opening into said passage and extending longitudinally thereof, and a seat at the outer end of said passage, and

a, plug having a non-cylindrical shank threaded on its larger-diameter surfaces to cooperate with the threads of thebody, and a seat portion for cooperating with said seat, said threads being adapted to lie entirely in the slots in one angular position of the plug whereby said plug may be moved axially when in said angular position, said slots and the corresponding threads of the plug each being non-symmetrical angularly whereby axial movement of the plug` is possible with only said one angular position thereof, and the relationship between the` .threads and the tion of` the plug being omitted to permit rapid ow of liquid through the valve, said slots and the corresponding threaded portions of said plug each being angularly nonsymmetrical.

8.` In a drain valve, a member having a threaded flow passage and a seat at the outer end thereof, slots through said threads and -ex tending longitudinally of said passage,V a plug having a non-cylindrical shank, the larger-diameter surfaces of which are threaded, the threads on said shank being adapted to engage the rthreads in said passage or to slip through said slots, a seat on said shank formed and arranged forline bearing. with the vfirst-mentioned seat to close said passage, and means on the outer end of said shank for actuating the same,-

said means including a suitable surface whichy may be tapped With a hammer to reseat the valve when the threads on said shank'are within said slots.

9. In a drain valve, a member having althreaded ow passage and a seat at one endr thereof, slots through said` threads extending longitudinally of said passage, a plug having a non-cylindrical shank, the larger-diameter surfaces of which are threaded, the threads on said shank being adapted to engage the threads in,

said passage or to slip `throughsaid slots,la seat on said plug formed and arranged for line bear*` ing with the first-mentioned seat `to close said ,y passage, and means on said shank for actuatingv the same, said means including a suitable surface which may be tapped with a hammerito rei seat the valve when the threads onsaid shank are within said slots.

l0. A quick-opening valve ,including a valve body and a plug, the valve body being threaded but havingl slots out through the-threads,` andV the*v plug having threaded portions adapted to engage the threads of the threaded body or to slip through the slots, a spring adapted to urge the plug to an open position, and means j for limiting the movementl of the plug to preventits removal.

1l. A valve including a body having a threaded ed passage therethrough, slots opening into said passage and extending longitudinally thereof,

anda seat at the outer end of ,said passage; and a plug having a non-cylindrical shank threaded on its larger-diameter surfaces to cooperate with the threads of the body, and a seat portion for cooperating with said seat, said shank threads being adapted to lie entirely in the slots in Vone angular position of the plug whereby said plug may be moved axially when in said angular position, said slots and the corresponding threads of the plug each being non-symmetrical angularly whereby axial movement of the plug is possible with only said one angular position thereof,r and the relationship between the threads and the seat portion on the plug being such that when the 'plug is moved axially `to engage the seat portion against the seatthethreads are in the right position to engage the vthreads of the body upon simple turning of the plug, and a readily removeable pin carried by said shank adjacent the inner end thereof, saidl pin being engageable with said body to limit outward movement of said shank.

, l12. A valve including a body having a threaded passage therethrough, slots opening into saidv passage and extending longitudinally thereof, and a seat at the outer end of said passage; and a plug having a non-cylindrical shank threaded on its larger-diameter surfaces to cooperate with the threads of the body, and a seat .portion for cooperating with said seat, said shank threads being adapted to lie ventirely in ther slots in one angular position of the Iplug whereby said plug may be moved axially when in said angular position, said slots and the corresponding threads of the yplug each being nonsymmetrical ang'ularly whereby axial movement of the plug is possible with only said one angular position thereof, a pin carried by said plug and interlocked with said body, and resilient means bearing against said plug and said pin.

Y 13. A valve including a body having a threaded passage therethrough, slots opening into said passage and extending vlongitudinally thereof, and a seat at one end of said passage; and a plug having a non-cylindrical shank threaded on its larger-diameter surfaces to cooperate with the threads of the body, and a seat portion for cooperating with said seat, said shank threads being adapted to lie entirely in the slots in one angular Iposition of the plug whereby said plug may be moved axially when in said angularr po'- sltion,vsaid slots and the corresponding threads of the plug Veach being non-symmetrical angularlyl whereby axial movement of the plug is possible with only said one angular position thereof.

14. In a drain valve, a body having a threaded low passage therethrough, and a seat at the outer end thereof, and aplug having a noncylindrical shankv threaded on its larger-diameter surfaces foi cooperation with the threads of said body, said plug having a conical seat adjacent its outer end for engagement with said rst-mentioned seat, the major V,portion of the `cross-sectional area of said shank being eliminated from end to end thereof, said passage being at no point of substantially less diameter than the threaded portion thereof, whereby, when the seats are separated, fluid willdrain throughy cylindrical shank for cooperation with the threads in said passage, a seat portion'on said plug adjacent the outer extremity thereof for l engagement with said seatr to close said passage,

said shank being so constructed and arranged that the major portionl of the cross-sectional area of said passage from end to end thereof is open to permit 110W of associated fluid therethrough when said seat portion is out of engagement with said seat, whereby, when the seat por; tion on the plug is'separated from the seat on the member, uid'will drain through the passage before striking the seat portion, so. that turbulence in the passage is avoided and rate of flow is increased.

16. ,In combination, a member with a cylindrical threaded passage therethrough, a pair of f oppositely `disposed slots through the threads of said passage and extending longitudinally thereof, one of said slots being wider than the other, and another member having a noncylindrical shank with threaded portions adapted to engage'said threads or tov slip through said slots,

said threaded portions being complementary in width to respective of said slots, and cooperating seats on the respective members.

17. In combination, a member with a cylindrical threaded passage therethrough, a pair of oppositely disposed slots through the threads of said passage extending longitudinally thereof, and another member having a threaded shank with portions of its threads omitted to permit axial movement with respect to said passage through said slots, thethreads on said shank and said slots each being angularly nonsymmetricai, whereby said axial movement is per-- Vmitted in `only one angular position'of said shank, and cooperating seats on the respective members, the relationship between the threads on said shank and theseat on said second-mentioned member being such thatwhen said seats are in engagement, said shank threads are in the right position to engage the passage threads upon simple turning of the shank.

18. In a. drain valve, a, member having a threaded ilow passage and aseat at one end thereof, a plurality of spaced slots through said threads extending longitudinally of said passage, a plug having a. noncylindrical shank'with threaded portions adapted to engage said passage threads or to slip` through said slots, a seat on said plug formed and arranged for line bearing with the first-mentioned seat to closev said passage, and means on said -plug for actuating the same, said means including a'suitable surface which may be tapped with a hammer to reseat the valve Whensaid threaded portions are disposed within said slots.

19. In a drain valve, a member with a threaded opening therethrough, a plug with 'a noncylindrical shank threaded for cooperation with the threads of said opening,v said shank having a substantial portion of its cross-sectional area eliminated from end to end thereof., thereby delining with said member lsubstantially straight 7iiuid flow passages extending longitudinally of ity of said opening to close the same, whereby.

When said seat portion is in its open position to permit ow of fluid outwardly through said opening, said uid may pass entirely through said opening before striking said seat portion,

and means on the outer end of said plug for actuating the same.

CHARLES E. LAUE. 

